Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Laparoscopic Staging for Gallbladder Carcinoma

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of staging laparoscopy in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). Methods: From January 2007 through December 2010, 79 GBC patients without evidence of metastatic disease on preoperative imaging underwent staging laparoscopy. Peritoneal and liver metastases were assessed by a single surgeon in a systematic manner. Resection rate, safety, and survival analysis were compared between the laparoscopy group and no laparoscopy group. Results: Disseminated disease was detected in 27 patients and no further surgery was performed; the overall accuracy for detecting unresectable disease was 67.5% (27/40), with 39 (75%) and 27 (51.9%) receiving resection and curative resection. In 203 GBC patients undergoing laparotomy, 90 (44.3%) and 53 (26.1%) patients received resection and curative resection; therefore, the resection rate and curative resection rate were significantly much higher in the laparoscopy group (p < 0.000). Conclusions: Staging laparoscopy in GBC is sensitive in detecting disseminated disease and increases the curative resection rate, shortens the recovery time, and has no negative implications on overall survival; therefore, we suggest the routine use of staging laparoscopy in patients with GBC without evidence of disseminated disease on preoperative imaging. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel